Two Talented Teams; Two Games; 1-1

Wrap, Box

Season: 38-22; Trip: 1-1
Wrap, Box, Indians Wrap

This series up in Indiana is, in our opinion, the most important road visit of the first half of the season. Two very well-balanced teams who match up well. And that’s exactly the way the series is playing out.

The first game stretched out for 13 innings until the Bulls blew it apart in the top of the 13th with four runs, along the way using six pitchers. The oddity of the game was how it happened that Vince Belnome got to the plate to double in the 13th. Belnome was supposed to get the day off, but came in to run for Leslie Anderson in the 7th. Anderson had gotten hit by a pitch back in the 2nd inning, but stayed in the game. Apparently, he was limping after hitting a double and Montoyo put Belnome in. He was stranded then, but stayed in the game at first base. In the 13th, one run was already in on a Wil Myers single, but Belnome hit a double to bring in two more runs and came home himself on a Cole Figueroa triple.

Double plays had a lot to do with stretching that game out, the Bulls had three, the Indians had four.

Kirby Yates came out of the game after just three pitches. I think I heard that it was a groin pull. Have not heard more. If someone did, please drop a comment for us.

Update: Yates was pulled at the Rays request. See Chris D's comment. Thanks, Chris!

Then there was last night. Just doesn’t seem fair to pitch 7⅔ innings without giving up a single earned run, then have to take a loss. But that’s what happened to J.D. Martin. The Bulls bats went cold against Indian hot prospect Gerit Cole for only the second shutout of this season. Still, it sounded like great baseball even if the park seems to be very pitcher friendly.

Outside the game —

• The Indians seem to get very little hometown attention in the media. Not having any luck finding any conventional news stories.
• An additional catcher is on the way, Jesus Flores. He’s coming from the Albuquerque Isotopes (Dodgers), but had a good bit of time with the Washington Nationals last year. Stories here and here, plus stats.
• For the stats guys out there, Rays Index uses the Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) measure to take a look at former Bull Jeremy Hellickson. Here at WDBB we sometimes look at FIP, but we’re not sure it really tells us anything useful in the minor leagues.